Medicines Discussed in This Guide
How to use the medication chart
In this chart, we have included the brand and generic names of many medicines used to treat people with AD. The brand name drug is what the company calls the medicine when they sell it to the public. The generic drug has the same active ingredients and effects as the brand name drug. But, it often costs less money.
To find a medicine (they are listed in alphabetical order), read down the left-hand column. You will find the brand name and how to say it. Below the brand name is the generic name and how to say it. Once you have found the drug you want to know about, read across the chart to find out what the medication is used for.
Check with the doctor about side effects |
| Check with the doctor or pharmacist about any possible side effects of medications. Some side effects can be serious. |
Medicines Used to Treat AD and Its Symptoms |
Brand Name (how to say it)
Generic Name (how to say it) | Medication Use
• Things to Know About the Medicine |
|---|
Aricept® (AIR-uh-sept)
Donepezil (doe-NEP-uh-zil) | Used to delay or slow the symptoms of AD
• Loses its effect over time
• Used for mild, moderate and severe AD
• Does not prevent or cure AD |
|---|
Celexa® (Sa-LEKS-a)
Citalopram (SYE-tal-oh-pram) | Used to reduce depression and anxiety
• May take 4 to 6 weeks to work
• Sometimes used to help people get to sleep |
|---|
Depakote® (DEP-uh-cote)
Sodium valproate (so-DEE-um VAL-pro-ate) | Used to treat severe aggression
• Also used to treat depression and anxiety |
|---|
Exelon® (EKS-uh-lawn)
Rivastigmine (riv-uh-STIG-meen) | Used to delay or slow the symptoms of AD
• Loses its effect over time
• Used for mild to moderate AD
• Can get in pill form or as a skin patch
• Does not prevent or cure AD |
|---|
Namenda® (nuh-MEN-duh)
Memantine (MEH-man-teen) | Used to delay or slow the symptoms of AD
• Loses its effect over time
• Used for moderate to severe AD
• Sometimes given with Aricept®, Exelon®, or Razadyne®
• Does not prevent or cure AD |
|---|
Razadyne® (RAZZ-uh-dine)
Galantamine (guh-LAN-tuh-meen) | Used to prevent or slow the symptoms of AD
• Loses its effect over time
• Used for mild to moderate AD
• Can get in pill form or as a skin patch
• Does not prevent or cure AD |
|---|
Remeron® (REM-er-on)
Mirtazepine (MUR-taz-a-peen) | Used to reduce depression and anxiety
• May take 4 to 6 weeks to work
• Sometimes used to help people get to sleep |
|---|
Tegretol® (TEG-ruh-tall)
Carbamazepine (KAR-ba-maz-ee-peen) | Used to treat severe agression
• Also used to treat depression and anxiety |
|---|
Trileptal® (tri-LEP-tall)
Oxcarbazepine (oks-kar-BAZ-eh-peen) | Used to treat severe agression
• Also used to treat depression and anxiety |
|---|
Zoloft® (ZO-loft)
Sertraline (SUR-truh-leen) | Used to reduce depression and anxiety
• May take 4 to 6 weeks to work
• Sometimes used to help people get to sleep |
|---|
These Drugs Should Be Taken with Caution |
Brand Name (how to say it)
Generic Name (how to say it) | Medication Use
• Things to Know About the Medicine |
| Sleep aids |
Ambien® (AM-bee-un)
Zolpidem (zole-PI-dem) | Used to help people get to sleep and stay asleep
• People with AD should not use this drug on a regular basis |
|---|
Lunesta® (lu-NES-ta)
Eszopiclone (ess-ZOP-eh-klone) | Used to help people get to sleep and stay asleep
• People with AD should not use this drug on a regular basis |
|---|
Sonata® (SO-nah-ta)
Zaleplon (ZAL-ee-plon) | Used to help people get to sleep and stay asleep
• People with AD should not use this drug on a regular basis |
|---|
| Anti-anxiety |
Ativan® (AT-eh-van)
Lorazepam (lor-AZ-eh-pam) | Used to help people relax and calm their agitation
• Can cause sleepiness, falls, and confusion |
|---|
Klonapin® (KLON-uh-pin)
Clonazepam (KLO-naz-ee-pam) | Used to help people relax and calm their agitation
• Can cause sleepiness, falls, and confusion |
|---|
| Antipsychotics |
Risperdal® (RISS-per-dol)
Risperidone (riss-PAIR-eh-dohn) | Used to treat mental problems such as aggression, paranoia, hallucinations, or agitation |
|---|
Seroquel® (SAIR-o-kwell)
Quetiapine (KWE-tye-uh-peen) | Used to treat mental problems such as aggression, paranoia, hallucinations, or agitation |
|---|
Zyprexa® (zye-PREKS-uh)
Olanzapine (o-LAN-zuh-peen) | Used to treat mental problems such as aggression, paranoia, hallucinations, or agitation |
|---|
People with AD Should Not Take These Drugs |
| Anticholinergics |
Atrovent® (AT-row-vent)
Ipratropium (EYE-pra-troe-pee-um) Combivent® (COM-bi-vent)
Ipratropium and Albuterol (Eye-pra-troe-pee-um and AL-bu-ter-all) DuoNeb® (DO-oh-neb)
Ipratropium and Albuterol (Eye-pra-troe-pee-um and AL-bu-ter-all) Spiriva® (SPY-ree-vah)
Tiotropium (TEE-oh-tro-pee-um) | Used to treat many medical problems such as stomach cramps, incontinence, asthma, motion sickness, and muscle spasms
• Side effects can be serious for a person with AD |
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